PE 04. A cross-sectional study to investigate the premature ejaculation perceptions and attitudes in Korea

Purpose: Even though there are many studies exploring attitudes and behaviors about premature ejaculation (PE), most of them did not focus on the relationship with partner. In addition, it is required to examine PE perceptions and attitudes as a study organized systemically in Korea. So we investigated the relationship with woman partners associated with PE and compared the prevalence between PE and erectile dysfunction (ED), including the perceptions and attitudes of PE and treatment options.

Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey and self-measured questionnaires will be used. A total of 1204 (Male: 926, mean age: 43.86±11.70, Female: 278, mean age: 39.77±9.52) from 12 urology centers in Korea were enrolled. All study subjects met the following criteria: Male outpatients over 18-year and under 65-year visiting to urology clinics due to sexual dysfunction, Men who had been sexually active for last 6 months, Men who are married or in stable relationship practicing heterosexual sex, and women who are partners of the former. Responder will be divided into 4 groups according to gender and the considered ratio: PE and their partners (80%) and non- PE and their partners (20%). Questionnaire consists of 4 forms. Part 1 is to ask general sexual activities and satisfaction and Part 2 is about Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), self-reported Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time (IELT) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). The relationship with woman partners associated with PE is in Part 3 and demographics for Part 4.

Results: In this study, 67.00% of male respondents reported having PE, but prevalence of PE diagnosed by urologist was found to be 38.56%. The complaints of PE-related stress were 3.35±1.21 out of 5 points in PE group and 2.47±1.20 in non- PE group (P<0.001). Also, the sexual satisfaction of sexual partners were significantly decreased in PE group compared to non-PE group (P=0.021). The total IIEF-5 score was decreased significantly in PE group compared to non-PE group (20.24±5.61 vs. 21.35±5.49, respectively, P=0.003). And total SEAR score was significantly decreased in PE group compared to non-PE group (P<0.001). However, there was no significantly difference in inclination to seek treatment for PE between PE and non-PE group (P=0.449).

Conclusions: PE-related stress had a significant effect on the stress and sexual activity of respondents and their sexual partner. Also, PE had a significant effect on the ED. The finding that PE patients had poor knowledge and a negative view toward PE treatments suggest a continuous need for comprehensive education programs focused on the accurate perceptions and treatments for PE.